George Lucas, Tony Kushner, Herb Alpert Among National Medal of Arts Honorees

George Lucas, Herb Alpert, Tony Kushner and Elaine May are among the National Medal of Arts honorees to be awarded July 12 in White House ceremonies.

Lucas is to be honored for his contributions to American cinema. “By combining the art of storytelling with boundless imagination and cutting-edge techniques, Mr. Lucas has transported us to new worlds and created some of the most beloved and iconic films of all time,” the White House said his citation will read.

Alpert, the founder of A&M Records, and the Tijuana Brass, will be honored for his varied contributions to music and the fine arts.

Playwright/screenwriter Kushner, best known for 1993's "Angels in America," will be honored for his contributions to the theater and films. “Whether for the stage or the silver screen, his scripts have moved audiences worldwide, marrying humor to fury, history to fantasy and the philosophical to the personal,” said the White House.

May will be honored for her contributions to American comedy. “With groundbreaking wit and a keen understanding of how humor can illuminate our lives, May has evoked untold joy, challenged expectations, and elevated spirits across our nation,” the White House said.